Nuggets' radical play raises NBA eyebrows

The Trail Blazers are about to play the Denver Nuggets, whose coach, Paul Westhead, is being vilified in many quarters for his radical belief that basketball should be played more uptempo than ever, with his offense taking the first open shot, ideally within five seconds of gaining possession.

The Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off their 21st consecutive regular-season victory at Memorial Coliseum over the Detroit Pistons, who swept them there in the 1990 NBA finals en route to the title. With hot nights from Danny Ainge, Terry Porter and Kevin Duckworth, Portland shoots 57 percent from the field in a 113-101 win.

Blazers owner Paul Allen and GM Geoff Petrie are waiting to receive a feasibility study on a new basketball arena that could be built in the Portland area. Estimated cost is $80 million to $100 million.

• Marshall High's football team defeats Central Catholic 22-0 in the first round of the state playoffs at Civic Stadium.

• Oregon State falls to 1-9 under coach Dave Kragthorpe with a 56-7 loss to USC.